Yet, we offer a great opportunity for them to develop SOMETHING and through
that become linked with the larger project and the vast world of knowledge.
It is almost a defining characteristic of small tribal groups that they are
out of touch with outside perspectives. A Wikipedia project offers an
opportunity to both focus on their particular culture and make connections
with the larger cultures. For example, the Ute were once part of the larger
Colorado community. They are now segregated in small reservations in
southwestern Colorado and northwestern Utah and except for tribal leaders
and occasional visitors to their rather limited tourist facilities there is
almost no day to day contact with the general population. So while gradually
losing their own language and culture, they are also out of touch with the
surrounding culture too.
Whether any group picked at random, as I have here, will rise to the
occasion and actually make something of the opportunity of having their own
Wikipedia remains to be seen, but I don't think it hurts to keep the door
open.
Fred
From: Jiaqing Bao <jbao.itl91g(a)nctu.edu.tw>
Reply-To: wikipedia-l(a)Wikimedia.org
Date: Sat, 25 Dec 2004 16:37:49 +0800
To: wikipedia-l(a)Wikimedia.org
Subject: [Wikipedia-l] Setting up a Wikipedia in _______ (what ever language)
To many minor languages, they have very few books
other than a language textbook, the Bible or an out-of-print dictionary.
It is really not a very good idea that they start an encyclopedia
project at this moment.
Jiaqing Bao